faux-finishing an iron balcony

[althea102]

Does anyone have any advice on painting an iron balcony? We had one made to install in our new home...My iron-guy does not do any decorative finishes, so I had him paint it a reddish-brown, which I assume will work as a base-coat for a bronze metal patina faux-finish (such as can be viewed on emilysmith.com). I just want to know if it is possible to do this myself, or will I have to call in a professional to get the job done right?? Please help! :confused:

[twelvepole]

Emily sponged on green over a gray base coat, then turquoise over that coat, using a brush to stipple the finish on each coat while still wet. Then she stippled on a milky turquoise to create highlights and dusted with rotten stone or spackle dust to achieve the verdigris green.

She does not provide the colors she used to achieve the copper finish that she shows. But you can practice first on empty metal cans that have been painted with your base coat. Take a sea sponge and randomly sponge on antique gold and use brush to stipple. Then do so with copper or bronze or both. Then very randomly apply licorice (black). Then go back and apply a coat of bronze. You will not need to use rotten stone or spackle dust as required to create the verdigris finish. If you have a water-based base coat, then continue with water-based paints. If an oil base coat, continue with oil. Continue to experiment until you achieve the desired effect before attempting the railing. Vary the order of colors and quantity of paints until you come up with the desired effect.

You may want to do some additional online research or stop by your local library or bookstore for books on faux painting metal patinas.